Scientific Name
Opuntia microdasys var. pallida f. cristata hort.
Accepted Scientific Name
Opuntia microdasys var. pallida Borg
Synonym(s)
Opuntia microdasys f. monstruosa, Opuntia microdasys var. pallida f. undulata
Scientific Classification
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Opuntioideae
Tribe: Opuntieae
Genus: Opuntia
Etymology
The formal epithet "cristata" (pronounced "kris-TAY-tuh") means "crested" or "tufted" and refers to the fasciated pads of this form.
Origin
Opuntia microdasys var. pallida f. cristata is a crested form of Opuntia microdasys var. pallida.
Description
Opuntia microdasys var. pallida f. cristata is a clump-forming cactus with unusual, green, wavy pads adorned with bright yellow glochids arranged in dense clusters. It can grow up to 2 feet (60 cm) tall. The distinctively shaped pads can reach up to 6 inches (15 cm) in length.
The flowers are yellow, appear in spring, and can reach a diameter of 2 inches (5 cm).
How to Grow and Care for Opuntia microdasys var. pallida f. cristata
Hardiness: USDA hardiness zones 9a to 11b: from 20°F (-6.7°C) to 50°F (10°C).
A spot near a south-facing, unobstructed window will likely meet Bunny Ears Cactus's need for bright, direct sun—windows with western or eastern exposure are the second- and third-choice options. While an actively growing Bunny Ears Cactus tolerates indoor summer temperatures as high as 100°F (38°C), don't expect it to flower unless you also provide winter temperatures between 45°F and 55°F (7°C and 13°C). Regardless of the season, it prefers humidity in the 10-30% range. Finally, if none of your windows provide adequate light, place the plant 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm) below a cool, white fluorescent tube for 14 to 16 hours daily.
The potting soil must drain quickly. Use a commercial cactus potting mix or mix your own. The best container for your cactus is a clay pot, just slightly larger and deeper than the plant's root system. It must have drainage holes, because a pot without them, or one that's too large, could make proper watering impossible.
Learn more in "How to Grow and Care for Opuntia."
Links
- Back to genus Opuntia
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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